A reader in the Roman Church under Pope Sixtus who confessed Christ during persecution and was tortured and beheaded.
The Holy Martyr Synetus of Rome, the Reader
Synetus (also given as Synesius) was a third-century Roman martyr who served as a reader in the Church at Rome. His name is traditionally derived from a Greek word meaning "man of reason." The surviving accounts agree that he confessed Christ openly during a time of persecution and was put to death by beheading.
Details of his life are sparse, as is common for the obscure martyrs of the early Roman Church. He is commemorated in the Orthodox calendar on December 12.
(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”) You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Synetus;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.
Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).
Your holy martyr Synetus, O Lord,
through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!
Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).
The accounts of Synetus are brief and not fully consistent on chronology. The Orthodox Church in America's synaxarion notes his service as a reader under Pope Sixtus (257-258) but does not name the emperor under whom he suffered. OrthodoxWiki dates his martyrdom to 270-275, the reign of Aurelian. These notices preserve only his office, his manner of death, and the approximate period of his witness.
Browse other saints who share his calling and place.